Chicken Lasagna

Let me tell you about my favorite weeknight lifesaver, this incredible chicken lasagna! It all started when I had leftover rotisserie chicken and a serious craving for comfort food. Traditional lasagna felt too heavy, but swapping in tender chicken? Game changer. Now it’s our family’s go-to dish when we want something hearty yet fresh tasting.

The magic happens in those creamy layers, silky spinach sauce hugging shredded chicken, ricotta with just the right amount of garlic, and that golden mozzarella topping. What I love most is how forgiving this recipe is. Forget perfect layers, mine often look messy, but taste amazing every time. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping, this chicken lasagna delivers big flavors without fuss.

Trust me, once you try this twist on classic lasagna, you’ll understand why my kids beg for seconds (and why I always make a double batch). It’s comfort food with a lighter touch that still satisfies those cheesy, carb-y cravings we all love.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Lasagna

Oh my goodness, where do I even start? This chicken lasagna has stolen my heart (and my family’s stomachs) for so many reasons. First, that creamy spinach sauce? It’s like a warm hug in every bite. And let me tell you, using rotisserie chicken is my secret weapon, it adds so much flavor without any extra work!

Here’s why this recipe will become your new favorite:

• Protein-packed goodness from the chicken keeps everyone full and happy
• Endlessly customizable, swap in your favorite veggies or cheeses
• Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for busy weeks
• That golden, bubbly cheese topping? Pure magic

Seriously, this dish checks all the boxes, comforting yet fresh, hearty but not heavy, and oh-so-satisfying. Just wait until you see how quickly it disappears from the dinner table!

Chicken Lasagna Ingredients

Okay, let’s gather our goodies! I promise this isn’t one of those recipes with a million ingredients. Everything here works together like best friends at a potluck.

First, the noodles, you’ll need 9 lasagna noodles cooked al dente (trust me, slightly underdone is better than mushy). For the chicken, grab a rotisserie chicken from the store (about 4 cups shredded), such a time saver!

For our superstar spinach cream sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 2½ cups chicken broth
• 1½ cups half and half
• 5 ounces fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

And for the dreamy ricotta layer:

• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cups mozzarella cheese, divided (save 1 cup for that gorgeous golden top)

See? Nothing too crazy, just good, honest ingredients that’ll make magic together!

How to Make Chicken Lasagna

Alright, let’s get cooking! I promise this isn’t as complicated as it looks. Once you’ve got all your ingredients ready, the magic happens fast. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have the most delicious chicken lasagna ready before you know it!

Preparing the Spinach Cream Sauce

First, let’s tackle that gorgeous spinach cream sauce. Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and toss in those chopped onions. Cook them until they’re soft and translucent, about 5 minutes should do it.

While that’s happening, grab another saucepan for the roux. Melt your butter completely (but don’t let it brown!), then whisk in the flour until it forms a smooth paste. This is where patience pays off, keep whisking constantly!

Now comes the fun part: Slowly drizzle in your chicken broth while whisking like crazy. I mean it, don’t stop whisking or you’ll get lumps! Once that’s incorporated, add the half and half the same way. Keep cooking until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Then stir in your chopped spinach, garlic, salt, and pepper. The spinach will wilt beautifully into the sauce. Set this aside while we work on the other layers.

Assembling the Chicken Lasagna

Preheat your oven to 375°F and grab that trusty 9×13 baking dish. Spread a tiny bit of sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking (learned this trick the hard way!). Now let’s layer up the goodness:

1. Start with 3 lasagna noodles, overlap them slightly so there are no gaps
2. Spread half the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles
3. Scatter half the shredded chicken over the ricotta
4. Pour about 1/3 of the spinach sauce over the chicken
5. Repeat these layers once more
6. Finish with a final layer of noodles and the remaining spinach sauce
7. Top it all with that reserved cup of mozzarella, go wild!

Here’s my golden rule: Cover tightly with foil for the first 45 minutes of baking. This keeps all that moisture in so your lasagna stays creamy. Then remove the foil and broil for just 2-3 minutes until the cheese gets that perfect golden crust. Oh, and resist cutting into it right away! Let it rest for 10 minutes. I know it’s hard, but this helps the layers set so you get beautiful slices.

Tips for the Best Chicken Lasagna

After making this chicken lasagna more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks that make all the difference. First, don’t skip the fresh parsley in the ricotta mixture; it adds such a bright pop of flavor against the rich cheeses.

And here’s my biggest secret: Always let it rest after baking! I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but those 10 minutes make the layers hold together perfectly.

A few more pro tips:

• Taste your spinach sauce before assembling, you might want an extra pinch of salt or garlic
• If your noodles tend to stick, lay them on a clean kitchen towel after draining
• For extra crispy cheese on top, broil for the last 2 minutes (but watch it like a hawk!)

Remember, the best chicken lasagna comes from cooking with love (and maybe a little extra cheese). Don’t stress about perfection, even my messiest versions taste amazing!

Chicken Lasagna Variations

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can mix it up! Out of chicken? Try shredded turkey instead; it works beautifully. Not a spinach fan? Swap in chopped kale or even zucchini. For my gluten-free friends, your favorite GF lasagna noodles will do the trick. The possibilities are endless!

Here are some of my go-to twists:

• Turkey or leftover roasted chicken instead of rotisserie
• Kale, Swiss chard, or mushrooms for the spinach
• Gluten-free or whole wheat noodles when needed
• A sprinkle of red pepper flakes for some heat

Don’t be afraid to play around, that’s how the best kitchen creations happen!

Serving Suggestions

Oh, let me tell you how I love to serve this chicken lasagna! A simple Caesar salad with extra croutons makes the perfect crunchy contrast. Garlic bread? Absolutely mandatory in my house, it’s perfect for scooping up any leftover sauce. This recipe makes about 8 generous portions, but between you and me, my family of four somehow always finishes it in one sitting!

Storing and Reheating Chicken Lasagna

Now let me share my best tips for keeping your chicken lasagna tasting amazing even days later! First, let it cool completely before storing. I usually leave mine on the counter for about 30 minutes. Then cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to airtight containers. It’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for 3-4 days (though mine never lasts that long!).

For freezing, I like to cut individual portions and wrap them in foil before popping them in freezer bags. They’ll stay perfect for up to 2 months. When reheating, the oven is definitely your friend, 350°F for about 20 minutes if refrigerated, or 30 minutes from frozen. Add a splash of water or broth if it looks dry. The microwave works in a pinch, but you’ll lose that crispy cheese topping we all love!

Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re diving into, here’s the scoop on this chicken lasagna’s nutrition! Keep in mind these are estimates; your exact numbers might vary depending on ingredients. Each generous serving packs about 450 calories with a whopping 35g of protein (thank you, chicken!). You’re looking at 25g of fat (12g saturated) and 30g of carbs per slice.

I always say, when food tastes this good and fills you up this well, the numbers just become fun facts! The fresh spinach sneaks in some bonus nutrients too. Now go enjoy that cheesy goodness!

Creamy & Cheesy Chicken Casseroles

If you loved the rich layers of Chicken Lasagna, try these other creamy chicken dishes perfect for comforting family meals.

• Marry Me Chicken Pasta: A viral favorite featuring tender chicken in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.​
• Chicken Spinach Alfredo: Classic creamy Alfredo tossed with chicken and spinach for a hearty dinner.​
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole: Mexican-inspired layers of tortillas, chicken, and cheese baked to perfection.​
• Cajun Chicken Alfredo Recipe: Spicy Cajun seasoning meets rich Alfredo sauce in this flavorful pasta dish.​

These recipes deliver the same cheesy, satisfying comfort as chicken lasagna with new flavor twists!​

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